Bad New re: WSU

Well, I have some good news and some kinda bad news.

The good news is that I had my third acupuncture appointment on Thursday and in addition to the needles and adjustment, my nice lady friend also injected me with some anti-inflammatory medicine in my back. However, she did say that we can stop playing now, it's really time for an MRI. Further good news was at the time that she is actually a WSU alumni, so the idea was that she could make some calls and try to get an appointment for me sooner.

Which brings me to the bad news. Dad got a call from WSU this morning and though we could be seen relatively soon, WSU changed its policy around how much things should cost. Now, I'm a dog and don't know much about money, but $1,600 for an MRI sounds like a lot, even in doggie dollars. Dad said that is pretty much how much it costs here too so we will go to someone local.

I was really looking forward to a roadtrip with Dad but it's probably best not to go if it's not going to save us any money.

Mom and Dad need to figure out how to pay for stuff so I can get fixed up. I was a tiny bit more rambunctious today as the medicine still held from tomorrow, but who knows what tomorrow will bring. I am still dragging my toe and stand funny and walk funny. What? Leave me alone!

Hugs for now from Voyager

More Accupuncture

Hello Human Friends,

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. What a gorgeous, sunny weekend to be a dog - it's too bad I can't run around and chase a ball or go for a swim! Every time I try to romp and play with something, I get told to stop and not do it. I am really confused, but piecing together from conversations I overhear, I think I'm not supposed to be moving much at all. Dad even mentioned that the accupuncture vet wanted him to crate me! Whoa! That would be bad!!!

Anyway...since the last time, I had another appointment of adjustments and acupuncture. Here's a picture of me with some needles poking me. It really doesn't hurt at all, just relaxes me. We will try it one more time but if we don't see any improvements, it's not worth trying it further. Mom's friend Tracy sent an article about the veterinary school at WSU. I can't read, but I have heard from other dogs about this place that helps doggies like me. Appointments are hard to come by but dad would take time off from his work to take me to Eastern Washington.

Have I mentioned how much I love these people?
Hugs from Voyager

PS - Sadie got new food to try and we were accidentally fed dinner TWICE last night. It was the BEST day ever!

Pins and Adjustments

Hi Human Friends,

Last week Dad took me to a wonderful vet who now specializes in accupuncture and chiropractic care for dogs. She examined me and said that I should hopefully start feeling better after 3 visits. I was quite a bit wiggly during the adjustments and I heard her say that she is not touching the part of my spine where the painful bit is.

Accupuncture was weird but good. I first got a needle on top of my head which made me calm down immediately and made me relax. There were then needles in my paws, my back and other spots. I was so relaxed, I actually went to sleep. I felt a little better afterwards, seemed more cheerful, so that's good.

Mom got me more muscle relaxant drugs so now I'm really groovy again. Still not allowed to run around AT ALL and I'm just told to stay a potato for a while. NO problem ;-)

Thank you for your continued support and donations - I am so touched that so many humans love and care about me!!!

Lots of love, Voyager

Chiropractor Today

Hello Everyone - it's me, Voyager!

I'm happy to report that I have my first chiropractor appointment this afternoon. As a sidebar, mom wanted me to mention that she thinks she should change careers and learn about doggie chiropractic. She said it's insanely difficult to get an appointment since these guys work 2 or maybe 3 times a week, a couple hours each time, and it is $45 for every 15 minutes they spend with us doggies.

So advice here: learn to talk fast. My mood has not been very good lately. I am told I appear to be in a lot of pain, lose my "rear end" and fall down from time to time and just look sad.

It was Kristof's 16th birthday yesterday - he's my boy. Every dog needs a boy and I love him. He shared some of his cake with me, which is a big no-no since I'm allergic to everything, but it was the boy's birthday, so I had to.

Will report back after my appointment.
Love and whisker tickles - Voyager

Happy Mothers Day

I woke my mom up this morning with a whisker tickle to wish her Happy Mothers Day and thank her for everything she does for me. She does have wonderful friends that love and care about me and I'm very very grateful for that.

We have enough in the bank account for several doggie chiropractor visits, so I'm looking forward to those. We selected a lady on Mercer Island to go to. My muscle relaxer medicine is all used up now and I don't notice any difference for the better, so I'm hoping this next step will help.

Those of you who know me know that I'm more of a "spa dog" and not a jock (Sadie is the jock). I prefer to lounge on the couch or on my sheepie and yesterday I was appaled by the suggestion that I spend the day outside in the backyard. Ok, so it WAS a beautiful day and everyone was outside gardening, but still, the idea didn't appeal to me. Finally, someone dragged my carpet (what I call my "island") outside so I could lay on the deck on a soft spot.

Don't hate me because I am beautiful and prefer a soft surface!
Love and whisker tickles from Voyager

By the way....

I'd like to hear what you guys think of my baby picture? Don't I just look adorable?? I mean seriously cute in that green vest!!

Doggie chiropractor

Sorry for not blogging for a few days but my mom has been using the computer a lot. I could only get to it in the evening, and by then, I'm pretty much pooped.

I have been a very good boy. I don't run around much anymore, just lay quietly and observe everything and everyone. The pills are making me sleepy and not very energetic. I still have a few days' worth left, then I'm not sure what I'll be taking next. Mom says we will have to get another blood test done to make sure the pills didn't damage my liver.

I am so very grateful to everyone who has donated money - your support means so much to me, Sadie, mom, dad and Kristof!!! I would big you a big kiss if you were here, but since you are not, I'll chew on a Kong for you....deal?

As for next steps, I already mentioned the blood test, and then we are also looking into some alternate therapy. We will use the donations to try doggie chiropractic and maybe massage before we jump straight into the surgery. I'm not sure what a doggie chiropractor is, none of my other 4-legged friends had that before, but the massage sounds good.

I do feel worse the last few days....mom is even researching whether dogs can get MS as I am losing all the strength in my hind legs. I hate to see her sad so I try to wag my tail, but it's not always easy. Hope I feel better soon.

Love and Kisses from Voyager

My New Routine

We have a BIG backyard. The routine up until last week was to just be let out, "do our business", then report back to the back door where we are let in, praised, given a snack and then lay down for our 20 hours / day snooze.

The new routine is very different. Now I have to wear a collar and be attached to a leash when I go outside. Granted, I usually hole ass at top speed around the yard, which is apparently a no-no with a herniated disk. So we calmly walk outside, my mom or dad watches me do my business then we walk back in. How embarrassing is that? Well, at least there's still praise and snacks, so it's not all bad.

I also seem to be taking a lot of pills which make me feel groovy. Mom tries to hide them in my food, but if I miss them, they either get jammed down my throat or given to me hidden in salami, cheese, etc. I naturally prefer the latter method. I'm told I'm taking something yellow for inflammation, then two tinies for pain and then two round white ones that are muscle relaxants. They COULD make them taste like dog treats, instead they are not that great. Especially the "jamming down the throat method" (see above).

Well, I'm sleepy, plus Maury is on and I can't wait to find out who the baby daddy is for all those puppies. Love and hugs, Voyager

Meet Voyager

Hello Everyone,

Though a lot of you know me already, those of you who don't, here's a quick FAQ on me :o)

• Breed : Labrador Retriever
• Color : Yellow, though almost white
• Birthday : 2/26/03
• Parents : John and Emese
• Siblings : one human, Kristof and one canine, Sadie, also a yellow lab
• Current occupation : couch potato
• Former occupation : Puppy in Training for Guide Dogs for the Blind

Why am I writing this blog? My mom is seeking support from friends to try to cover some of my expenses for my vet bills. Unfortunately, I managed to hurt my back and knee somehow and I'm now in need of some serious body work.

First off, the most important thing is to get an MRI to confirm Dr. Turner's diagnosis. He thinks I have a herniated disk and that's why I walk like a German Shephard - no offense to those guys, but when I walk with a slant in my back, it really hurts. The MRI alone is $1,500 and then the surgery is thousands more.

I also have a torn ACL in my left knee. For those of you who know what I'm talking about, you know it HURTS. However, as much as it hurts, the back is still more important to fix.

My mom says she's extremely grateful for anyone who is interested in contributing to my cause. She even set up a PAYPAL account under the ID eatuza@gmail.com . If you'd like to help, you can do it directly there.

Warm hugs and sniffs to faces (I don't like to lick faces, but will sniff you from 1/4" away and tickle you with my whiskers). - Voyager